Double-jawed work gripping and handling clamp



y 1944. J. 5. HAZOURI ETAL 1 2,353,032

DOUBLE-JAWBD ORK GRIP-PING AND HANDLING CLAMP Filed Nov. s, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 (170% \i'bivzaue/ 617.425 y 0. 5/;2455

Inventor y 4, 1944- J. 5. HAZO URI' ETAL ,03

DOUBLE-JAWBD WORK GRIPPING AND HANDLING CLAMP Filed Nov. 5, 1943 {Sheets- Sheet 2v Inventor 0/7241 0. mz/ms Patented July 4, 1944 DOUBBE-JAWEHWORK GRIP-PING AND HANDLING ChAM'P rack s. nazduiiana Carey 0. arnes, Ja'cfksonvillegFla.

aseaaioe saaaar' 5, 194a, SerialNo. 509,114

2 Glai'ms. (01. 294-4116) therebetween when thec'lamp, as a unit, is per-,

pendicularly lifted through themediu-m of appropriatefhois'ting means. a

More specifically, the clamp is characterized by a frame, preferably in the form of a shell, this shell housing the internal mechanism and said mechanism being such that .reciprocatory motion of the main actuating means in relation to the shell. serves to swing the jaws on their fulcrums toward and against the plate 'orother part to be grabbed andliftefd.

In reducing to'practice the preferred embodiment, we have evolved and produced a highly simple, durable and economical structure, the same being sensitive and effective in action, positive in operatiomarrd otherwise aptly fitted to safely and satisfactorily perform intended functions.

In choosing the parts and coordinating them into a desirable assemblage for heavy duty services, we have selected those elements which, to our mind, so coordinate and interact as to readily translate the reciprocatory movement of the housed device in the shell to quick acting and firm clamping oscillatory movement of the pivoted jaw-forming cams.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a work-handling clamp constructed in accordance with the preferred principles of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is a view at right angles to Figure 1, the same being essentially a vertical section centrally taken but with certain of the parts appearing in elevation.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the coupler element.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the lobe-like jaw-forming cams.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference numerals, it will be observed that the frame is specifically in the form of a onepiece cast or welded shell 5. This is of approp-riate 'metal or equivalent nfate'rial', as are the other parts, and is of "general triangular formfin marginal outline. The opposed parallel 's'ide walls 6 are provided with oppositely registering slots 1 to accommodate the plata'work :or oth'r load (not shown), these walls being 'adj'o'ined *by narrow end walls B/the latterlhavingtheir upp'er and lower ends rounded inwardly and downwardly, as indicated at the points 9 and 'm, re-

spectively. It will be noticed that "the flower ends It. is preferred that the "shell be substantially flat" and box-like in shape, as brought out to ad va'n tage in'Figure 2.

Duplicate lobe-shaped elements ll are disposed on opposite 'si'desof the entrance portions of the slots 1 and. arefulcrumed on bolts 12, said bolts :passing through the "side Walls and being held in place by assembling 'and retaining nuts I3, ,as brough-tout to advantage in Figure 2. These elements II constitute work-gripping jaws and their opposed inner curvate faces are formed with anti-slipping teeth I4.

The reciprocatory means for oscillating the cam-like jaws comprises a central coupler l5 of spider-like form. The upper somewhat disc-like end is provided with an essembling pin IE to which furcations I'l connect. The furcations are formed on the lower end of the stem l8 of the eye bolt Hi. The inner lower end portion of the coupler I5 is provided with diverging extensions which constitute lugs or ears 20, and these are provided with connecting and pivot pins 2| to accommodate the pairs of parallel actuator links 22. The lower ends of the links are pivotally connected by similar connecting pins 23 to the jaws. The connecting pins 23 are eccentric to impart the desired rocking and clamping motion to the jaws when said links are slid upwardly within and in relation to the enclosing shell or casing 5. Thus, we have a reciprocating assemblage or device comprising the eye bolt at the top IS, the coupler I5 and links disposed in pairs and connected with the ears on the lower end of the coupler. This entire link mechanism moves upwardly in relation to the shell after the work is in place in the slots 1. In so doing, the jaws oscillate into binding and clamping position against the work.

In practice the reciprocating link unit and the jaws are normally at rest, as shown in Figure 1. Thus, the entire clamp is lowered down over the plate or other work to be hoisted. As the structure is lifted bodily up, the tendency of the shell to gravitate in relation to the other parts causes the jaws to swing on their fulcrums and to bind against opposite faces of the work (not shown), whereby to lift the same with the clamp in an obvious and well known manner.

The rectangular link 24 on one side is an optional feature to facilitate hanging of the clamp when not in use.

We desire to stress the fact that the fulcrum bolts l2 may be readily removed by disconnection from the shell, whereupon the entire internal mechanism is allowed to slip down through the open; bottom of the shell to render the parts accessible and to promote easy and eflicient-repair and replacements.

It will be especially noted that the shell is flat and box-like in form and of triangular marginal or corresponding configuration. This shell completely houses the internal mechanism, protecting and shielding the same. There is no likelihood of the clamp, as a unit, getting caught in projecting hooks and other obstructions on the job. The sensitivity of operation and coordination of the parts within the shell makes for expedient and efficient operation of the clamping jaws. The jaws are properly shaped and toothed toefiectively grip the load to be grasped and lifted. The structure is believed'to be strongest, since the housing forms a box-girder shape to resist spreading instead of having only a single plate to resist this tendency toward spreading. It has been found, too, that the arrangement embodies an important safety feature of maintaining its hold or grip on the'work even if one entire side of the clamp fails through breakage of a bolt or pin.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufficient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

We claim:

1. As a new article ofmanufacture and as a component part of a clamp assemblage of the class described, a substantially hollow triangular mechanism shell adapted to house the mechanism, said shell being open at its bottom and top, substantially triangular in marginal outline and including a pair of opposed side walls and adjoining end walls, the side walls having their lower ends notched to provide work-accommodating slots, the upper and lower ends of the end walls being rounded inwardly and downwardly and the lower ends terminating in spaced relaa .l bolts and having their inner opposed ends toothed and coacting with the slots, a pair ofrlinks pivotally connected to the jaws to actuate the 1 same, there being two pairs of such links, a

coupler provided at its lower end with outwardly diverging ears, the upper adjacent ends of said links being pivotally connected to said ears, said coupler being confined in said shell, an eye bolt having its lower end bifurcated, the furcations straddling the upper end of the coupler and being pivotally connected thereto.

JACK s. HAZOURI. CAREY o. BARNES. 

